Peach tree named ‘Royal Zest One’

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a new variety of  Prunus persica  named ‘Royal Zest One’. This new variety, which requires approximately 600 chilling units of dormancy, is considered to be a peach tree of early season maturity, which produces yellow fleshed fruit that are firm, attractively colored, and suitable for the regional fresh fruit market.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunuspersica.

Variety denomination: ‘Royal Zest One’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to peach trees and, more specifically, to peachtrees referred to as a variety of Prunus persica named ‘Royal Zest One’.‘Royal Zest One’, which requires approximately 600 chilling units ofdormancy, produces an exceptionally high quality, firm clingstone peachthat matures early in the season.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘Royal Zest One’ peach is characterized as to novelty and isotherwise noteworthy by producing fruit that ripens in the early season;is considered high quality; and which is firm and has an attractivecoloration. In this regard, the present variety of peach tree bearsfruit that are ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment in mid tolate May, when the fruit is grown in medium chill zone of Texas. ‘RoyalZest One’ ripens 10-14 days earlier than ‘June Gold’ peach, (U.S. PlantPat. No. 1,884). Additionally, the new variety exhibits the potential tobe commercialized in regions that have chilling requirements that arerelatively low.

Origin of the Variety

The present peach tree was the result of an ongoing Stone Fruit BreedingProgram of Texas A & M University, College Station, Brazos County, Tex.To this end, both controlled and hybrid crosses are made each year inorder to produce seedling populations from which improved progenies areevaluated and selected.

‘Royal Zest One’ was selected as a seedling and given the selection nameof TX4B235 at the Texas A & M University Horticultural Farm in CollegeStation, Tex. in 2003 in a population of seedlings that resulted from across between a yellow-fleshed, medium chill peach selection(TX2293-1=‘Flordaking’ (not patented, Andrews et al., 1979 openpollinated) as a female parent and the California cultivar ‘Rich Lady’,(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,290) an early/mid-season, yellow-fleshed peachthat was released by Zaiger Genetics as the male (pollen) parent. ‘RichLady’ is an open pollinated seedling from ‘Amparo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.6,472). Resulting seed from this cross were planted in 2000 at the TexasA & M University Horticultural Farm in College Station, Tex. TX4B235 wasmarked for subsequent observation and noted as having exceptionalcharacteristics. Two-year and older trees of the variety weresubsequently evaluated during the 2006 through 2011 fruit growingseasons in both California (Clovis) and Texas (College Station,Fairfield, and Terrell).

Asexual Reproduction of the Variety

TX4B235 (‘Royal Zest One’) was bud grafted onto virus-free Nemaguard(not patented, Brooks and Olmo, 1997) peach rootstock in June 2003 atthe nursery site in Oakdale, Calif. The variety was subsequently plantedat the experimental orchard in the central portion of the San JoaquinValley, near Fowler, Fresno County, Calif. and in three sites in Texas(College Station, Fairfield, and Terrell). Fruit from the resultingpropagation has been evaluated during the period from 2006 to 2011 fruitseasons. This evaluation clearly demonstrated that the re-propagatedtrees were true to the characteristics of the original seedling in allobservable aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety of peach tree is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs. The fruit, pits, flowers, and shoots depicted are frommature trees that are 5 years of age.

FIG. 1 A color photograph of a characteristic twig bearing typicalleaves and several mature fruit showing their external colorationsufficiently matured for harvesting and shipment of ‘Royal Zest One’.The shape of the fruit is slightly elongated because it was a low chillyear.

FIG. 2. Color picture showing the flesh and skin color and fruit shapeof ‘Royal Zest One’ produced in the medium chill zone of Texas(Fairfield).

FIG. 3. Color photograph of the endocarp of ‘Royal Zest One’. The ruleris demarcated in millimeters.

FIG. 4. A stem showing the leaves of the ‘Royal Zest One’ peach. Theruler is demarcated in millimeters.

FIG. 5. The non-showy flowers of ‘Royal Zest One’. The ruler is inmillimeters.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed underthe ecological conditions prevailing at the experimental orchards in themedium chill zone of Texas (Fairfield and College Station, Tex.) onmature five-year old peach trees. All major color code designations areby reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (2001) and The R.H.S. MiniColour Chart (2005) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of GreatBritain. Colors are approximate as color depends on horticulturalpractices such as light level and fertilization rate, among others.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Generally average to above average as compared to            other common peach cultivars ripening in the early season of            maturity.        -   Height.—7 feet (2.13 m) on five-year old trees pruned to an            open center training system.        -   Width.—7 feet (2.13 m) on five-year old trees pruned to an            open center training system.        -   Vigor.—High.        -   Density.—Medium to high.        -   Productivity.—Productive.        -   Shape.—The trees are vigorous with the typical            semi-spreading growth habit similar to ‘TexKing’ (U.S. Plant            Pat. No. 14,627), ‘TexPrince’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,629),            and ‘TexRoyal’ (Byrne and Bacon, 1991).        -   Current season growth.—The current season growth for the new            variety was approximately 3.0 to 3.3 feet (0.91-1.12 m).        -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular, and considered hardy under            typical conditions experienced in the medium chill zone of            central Texas (College Station, Fairfield, Terrell, (USDA            Hardiness zones 8a and 8b) and in central San Joaquin Valley            in Calif. (USDA Hardiness zones 9b).-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Approximately 3.3 inches (8.38 cm) in diameter and            11.0 inches (27.9 cm) in circumference when measured at a            distance of approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) above the soil            level, at the end of the 2012 growing season on a five-year            old tree.        -   Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough with numerous            folds of papery scarf-like skin being present.        -   Bark coloration.—Variable, R.H.S. colors present are 197B-C            of the Greyed-Green Group, 199C-D of the Grey-Brown Group,            N200D of the Brown Group and 201D of the Grey Group.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety.        -   Thickness.—Average (about 5.5 cm in diameter as measured 10            cm from the trunk on a five-year old tree) as compared to            other varieties.        -   Surface texture.—Average and appearing furrowed on wood that            is several years old.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels present. The            lenticels range in size from approximately 3 to 5 mm in            width and were approximately 1-2 mm in height.        -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture — Substantially            glabrous.        -   Internode length.—Approximately 1.5 to 4.0 cm as measured in            the middle of a current season stem.        -   Color of mature branches.—The predominant R.H.S. colors are            166A and 176A-B of the Greyed-Orange Group and N200C-D of            the Brown Group.        -   Current season shoots.—Color (R.H.S. colors) — Light green            (139D and 142B of Green group and 144A, 144B and 144C of the            Yellow Green Group) with some reddish-brown coloration            appearing on exposed surface of the shoots (174C-D of the            Grey Orange group). The color of new shoot tips is            considered a bright and shiny green (mainly RHS Green Group            142B).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered average for the species. Leaf measurements            have been taken from vigorous upright current season growth            approximately at mid-shoot.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 158 to 173 mm.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 36 to 42 mm.        -   Leaf thickness.—Less than 1 mm.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf upper surface color.—Green, approximately 137A of the            Green Group.        -   Leaf lower surface color.—Green, approximately 147B of the            Yellow-Green Group.        -   Leaf mid-vein color.—Light green, approximately 145B of the            Yellow-Green Group.        -   Leaf margins.—Form — Considered crenate/crenulate.            Uniformity — Considered generally uniform.        -   Leaf petioles.—Size — Considered medium. Length —            Approximately 8 to 13 mm. Thickness — Approximately 1 to            2 mm. Color — Pale green (145A of the Yellow-Green Group).        -   Leaf glands.—Size — Approximately 1 mm in height and 1 to            1.5 mm in width. Number — Generally 0-2 per leaf. Type —            Reniform. Color — Brown (N199C of the Grey-Brown Group).        -   Leaf stipules.—Size — Medium for the species. Length —            Approximately 10-15 mm. Form — Lanceolate.        -   Color.—Light green (RHS Yellow-Green 145B) with reddish            brown tips (RHS Greyed-Orange Group 174C) when young. The            stipules are deciduous.        -   Ratio of wood (leaf) buds to flowering buds.—1 to 2 flower            buds per vegetative bud.-   Flowers:    -   -   Floral buds.—General — The floral buds are considered to be            of average size, conic form, and slightly appressed relative            to the bearing shoot. Color — The bud scales are light            gray-brown, (approximately RHS Greyed Green Group 195A and            197A and Grey Brown Group N199B). The buds are considered            hardy under typical conditions found in the medium chill            zone of Texas and the central San Joaquin Valley, Calif.            climatic conditions. Length — Approximately 5 to 7 mm.            Blooming Type — Considered medium early in relation to other            peach cultivars commonly growing in the medium chill zone of            Texas. Date of full bloom was between February 26th and            March 10th during the period between 2006 and 2011. Mean            bloom date was March 4th which is about 7 days before ‘June            Gold’ is in full bloom. Flower Type — Non-showy. Flower Size            — Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately 17 to            19 mm. Bloom Quantity — Considered abundant. Flower Bud            Frequency — Normally 1 to 2 per node.        -   Petal size.—General — Considered small for the species.            Width — Approximately 5 to 9 mm. Length — Approximately            14-15.5 mm. Petal Form — Broadly ovate. Petal Count — Nearly            always 5. Petal Color — Medium pink when young (Red-Purple            Group 62A-D), becoming darker with age.        -   Petal claw.—Form — The claw is considered present and has a            small size when compared to other varieties. Length —            Approximately 0.5 to 1 mm. Width — Approximately 0.5 to            1 mm. Petal Margins — Generally considered variable, from            nearly smooth to slightly undulate. Petal Apex — Generally —            The petal apices appear slightly rounded.        -   Flower pedicel.—Length — Considered long, and having an            average length of approximately 4 to 4.5 mm. Thickness —            Considered average, less than 1 mm. Color — A light green            (Yellow-Green Group 144C-D).        -   Floral nectaries.—Color — Bright orange to orange-gold            (Yellow-Orange Group 23A-B, 24A and N25A-C).        -   Hypanthium.—Surface Texture — Generally glabrous. Color — A            purplish red (approximately Red-Purple Group 59A-C and 60A).        -   Sepals.—Surface Texture — The surface has a short, fine,            wooly and a gray-colored texture. Size — Average and ovate            in form. Color — A dull red (approximately Red-Purple Group            59A-C).        -   Anthers.—General — Average in size for the species. Color —            Young anthers are yellow (approximately Yellow Group 10B-C            and 11C-D) with red on edge (approximately Orange-Red Group            31A-C). Pollen Production — Pollen is abundant, and is a            yellow color. Tree is self-fertile.        -   Filaments.—Size — Variable in length, approximately 15 to 17            mm, with the filaments slightly longer than the pistil.            Color — White (approximately White Group N999D, R.H.S. Mini            Colour Chart, 2005) and darkening to purplish-red with            advanced maturity (approximately Red-Purple Group 70A-C).        -   Pistil.—General — Average in size, but slightly shorter,            relative to the general anther height, overall. Length —            Approximately 14 to 17 mm (including the ovary). Color —            Considered white with light green when young (approximately            White Group 155A-D, Green-White Group 157A-D and            Greyed-Yellow Group 160A-C), and becoming darker with            advancing senescence (approximately Red-Purple Group 65            A-D). Surface Texture — The variety has a long, silver white            pubescent pistil and pubescent ovary (approximately White            Group 155A-D).-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—The present variety of fruit is            described, as it would be found in its firm ripe condition            at full commercial maturity. Under the ecological conditions            prevailing in the medium chill zone of Texas ‘Royal Zest            One’ ripens in mid to late May, a few days before ‘Regal’            and about 2 weeks before ‘June Gold’.        -   Size.—General — Medium large to large for the season and            considered uniform.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 57 to 61 mm.        -   Average suture diameter.—Approximately 55 to 58 mm.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 55 to 60 mm.        -   Fruit form.—Generally quite ovate in its lateral aspect. The            fruit is generally uniform in symmetry when viewed from the            apical aspect.        -   Fruit suture.—Generally, the suture appears as a thin line            that extends from the base to the apex, and appears deeper            at the apex, forming a shallow basin at the apical point. No            apparent callusing or stitching exists along the suture            line. Color — The suture normally is the same color as the            underlying blush (Orange-Red Group N34A and Greyed-Orange            Group 173A). Ventral Surface — Form — Considered uniform.        -   Stem cavity.—Size — Considered medium for the species. Width            — Approximately 9 to 12 mm. Length — Approximately 13 to            25 mm. Depth — Approximately 6 to 7 mm. Fruit Base —            Generally considered round and uniform. Fruit Apex —            Generally considered flat and round.        -   Fruit stem.—Generally — Considered medium in length,            approximately 8 to 9 mm. Thickness — Approximately 3 to            4 mm. Color — Generally a pale yellow-green (Yellow-Green            Group 144A-B).        -   Fruit skin.—Generally considered medium or average in            thickness. Surface Texture — The variety has very light,            short pubescence. Skin Acidity — Considered neutral.            Tenacious to Flesh — Yes at commercial maturity. Tendency to            Crack — Not observed. Skin Color — Generally — Variable,            with approximately 40-80% of the fruit surface covered with            an attractive orange red blush. Down — Light and short.            Blush Color — The blush color is generally more prevailing            apically. This red blush ranges from an orange red (Orange            Red 34A-D and Greyed-Red Group 178A-D) with many degrees of            shading and blending occurring between these colorations.            Skin Ground Color — The skin ground is a soft yellow color            (approximately Yellow-Orange Group 18A-B). Flesh Color —            Generally considered variable from yellow near the stone            (Yellow Group 8A-D) with flecks of red appearing near the            outer edge (Orange-Red Group N34A and Greyed-Red Group            179A). Flesh Fibers — Present, numerous and lightly colored.            These fibers are present throughout the flesh. Stone Cavity            Color — Generally considered variable from a medium yellow            to light yellow color (Yellow Group 8A-D). Flesh Texture —            Generally, the flesh is considered firm and fine at            commercial maturity. Ripening — Generally the fruit of the            present variety ripens evenly. Flavor — Considered sweet and            with a slightly acidic flavor. Aroma — Pleasant and            reasonably abundant. Eating — Generally considered very            good, particularly for an early ripening variety.-   Stone:    -   -   Attachment.—Clingstone at commercial maturity.        -   Stone size.—Generally considered medium-large relative to            the ratio of stone to fruit size. Length — Approximately 31            to 35 mm. Width — Approximately 26 to 27 mm. Thickness —            Approximately 18 to 19 mm. Fibers — Generally numerous            fibers are attached along the entire surface of the stone.            Stone Form — Generally the stone is considered oblate. Stone            Base Angle — The stone is considered wide. Apex Shape — The            stone apex is medium. Stone Shape — Considered variable,            from ovid to elongated.        -   Stone surface.—Surface Texture — Minor surface markings are            honeycombed with numerous single pits, chains of pits and            pit grooves. Ventral Edge — Considered medium in size.            Dorsal Edge — Shape — Grooved and having moderately rough            edges. Stone Color — The color of the dry stone is light            brown (161D of the Greyed-Yellow Group and 164D and 165D of            the Greyed-Orange Group). The color of the inside surface of            the endocarp is primarily 159A of the Orange-White Group and            164D and 165D of the Greyed-Orange Group. Tendency to Split            — Splitting is relatively uncommon. Kernel — the kernel            fills the endocarp at harvest. When dried the shriveled            kernels measure approximately 1-2 mm in thickness, 7-9 mm in            width, and 12-15 mm in length. The colors of the shriveled            kernels are primarily Greyed-Orange Group 165B-C. Use — The            subject variety, ‘Royal Zest One’, is considered to be a            peach tree of early-season maturity, which produces fruit            which are firm, attractively colored, and which are useful            for the regional fresh fruit market. Keeping Quality — Good.            Resistance to Insects and Disease — No observations were            made on susceptibility or resistance to any disease or            insect. Shipping Quality — Average. Although the new variety            of peach tree possesses the described characteristics when            grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near            Fairfield, Freestone county, Tex. it will be understood that            variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics            incident to the changes in growing conditions,            fertilization, pruning, and pest control are to be expected.

References

Andrews, C. P., W. B. Sherman, and P. M. Lyrene, 1979. ‘Flordaking’peach. HortScience 14:81-82.

Anon. 2001. R.H.S. Colour chart. The Royal Hort. Soc., London.

Anon. 2005. R.H.S. Mini Colour chart. The Royal Hort. Soc., London.

Brooks, R. M. 1958. Double Delight, Earligold, and June Gold peaches.Fruit Var. J. 3:22 (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,884).

Brooks, R. M. and H. P. Olmo. 1997. Register of New Fruit and NutVarieties. 3rd Edition. American Society of Horticultural Science Press,Alexandria, Va.

Byrne, D. H. and T. A. Bacon. 1991. ‘TexRoyal’, a medium chilling peach.HortScience 26(10):1338-1340.

Byrne, D. H. and T. A. Bacon. 2004. ‘TexKing’, an early ripening mediumchill peach. HortScience 39: 442-443. U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,627. Mar.23, 2004.

Byrne, D. H. and T. A. Bacon. 2004. ‘Texprince’, a mid season, mediumchill peach. HortScience 39(3):631-632. U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,629. Mar.23, 2004.

Zaiger, C. F., G. N. Zaiger, L. M. Gardner and G. Grant. 1988. Peachtree “Amparo”. U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,472. Dec. 20, 1088.

Zaiger, C. F., G. N. Zaiger, L. M. Gardner, and G. G. Zaiger. 1990.Peach tree ‘Rich Lady’. U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,290. Aug. 7, 1990.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct Prunus persica tree, substantially asillustrated and described herein.